"Tomorrow People" is technically a remake (or a reboot, if you prefer) of the U.K.'s 1970s children's sci-fi show that aired in reruns on Nickelodeon in the '90s. Berlanti noted that he and fellow exec producer
Julie Plec ("The Vampire Diaries") were addicted to the show in college and any old school fans will notice a trace of the original in this updated take.

"I think hopefully in its essence," Berlanti said about what's stayed the same, "What attracted me probably the most to it when I was a kid was 'You're not just different or a freak, you're actually special.' These kids are the next step in evolution."

"We hope to keep drawing on the original but always kind of make it its own," he added.

Amell notes that the pilot's unpredictable nature will continue throughout the first season. "It surprises you," Amell says of the storytelling. "It surprised me. I think it surprises 90 to 100 percent of the people who watch it. Which is nice, you don't want to see everything that's coming."

Amell added they've already shot two episodes and he's read up through episode 3, which featured an especially shocking twist he's not at liberty to disclose.

Berlanti revealed that the show's first six or seven episodes are designed as mini-stories revealing the backgrounds of the various "Tomorrow People."

To that point, List added: "When we meet 'The Tomorrow People,' it's not at the very beginning. They clearly have backstories, I think we're going to explore all the other characters and how they got to where they are in the pilot."

"The Tomorrow People" is scheduled to premiere Oct. 9, 2013 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW, following "Arrow."